Portable vacuuming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hand-carried vacuuming apparatus is convertible between an enlarged dust chamber configuration and a compacted configuration. During the extended configuration the dust-collecting chamber has more dust-holding capacity than in the compacted configuration, and during the compacted configuration the hand-carried vacuum as a whole is more compact and portable than during the extended configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to vacuuming apparatuses. More specifically, the present invention is related to hand-carried electro-mechanical devices for vacuuming a soiled area while passed there-about, and for simultaneously collecting the inhaled debris.

BACKGROUND

Hand vacuuming apparatuses are well known and commonly used for collecting dust and debris from soiled carpeted and non-carpeted surfaces. Such apparatuses are exemplified by the teachings of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,573,234, 4,633,543, and 8,069,529, which teachings are incorporated herein by reference.

“Hand vacuums” is a generic term which distinguishes the category of smaller vacuums capable of being carried and used as a whole appliance by one hand with only the power cord extending there-from, or in the case of battery-powered versions, with nothing else extending there-from. Commonly available hand vacuums include the Dustbuster® brand line sold by the Black and Decker Co (http://www.blackanddecker.com/allprodusts/cleaning-dustbuster) and the Dirt Devil® brand line sold by the Royal Appliance Co (http://dirtdevil.com/produsts/category/hand-vacuums/).

This contrasts with “canister vacuums” (as exemplified at http://dirtdevil.com/produsts/category/canister-vacuums/ and at http://www.shopvac.com/wet-dry-vacs/default.aspx?series=AllAround%C2%AE) in which the motor housing and dust collecting portion of the appliance is intended to rest on the floor or to be carried in the other had while only the suction nozzle portion is carried in the vacuuming hand . . . a hose connecting the two.

“Stick vacuums” and “upright vacuums” are separate categories in the marketplace, but for the purposes of the present invention, are included in the intended definition of “hand-carried vacuums” as used herein. Both stick vacuums (as exemplified at http://dirtdevil.com/produsts/category/stick-vacuums/) and upright vacuums (as exemplified at http://dirtdevil.com/produsts/category/upright-vacuums/) are pushed about the floor and used as a whole appliance by one hand with only the power cord extending there-from, or in the case of battery-powered versions, with nothing else extending there-from.

Use of the term “hand-carried vacuum” herein is intended to include “hand vacuums”, “stick vacuums”, and “upright vacuums”, and the intended definition of the term “hand-carried vacuum” as used herein is a vacuuming appliance in which the motorized portion, dust collection chamber, and intake port are bodied together and not connected through a hose, and are adapted to be carried and or pushed about together by a single hand.

Such hand-carried vacuums are intended to provide a portability advantage over canister vacuums, but do so at the sacrifice of dust-holding capacity. The light weight and small size of such hand-carried vacuums enables battery-powered operation in some cases, offers reduced shipping volume and cost to manufacturers compared to larger vacuums, and provides access to areas that canister vacuums with even the longest hoses are unable to reach, but the arrangement of such devices requires that the dust-collecting chamber is also hand carried or pushed around as a whole with the remainder of the device.

A disadvantage common to such prior art hand-carried vacuums is that their dust collecting chambers are either so large as to be bulky and cumbersome and contrary to the intended portability of the device, or are too small to provide sufficient holding capacity for many of the device's intended chores. A potential purchaser of such prior art devices was heretofore forced to choose between a model having sufficient dust-holding capacity for the more extensive vacuuming chores, or a model that was small enough in overall size to reach into the more restricted areas to be cleaned.

Another disadvantage to such devices is that the goal of shipping and storing the device, fully assembled and ready to use, in the smallest package possible, in order to reduce cost, conflicts with the goal of providing maximum dust-holding capacity. Even with all other manufacturing costs and features being equal, manufacturers and consumers have heretofore been forced to choose between a hand-held vacuum that costs less at retail or that provides adequate dust holding capacity.

There exists a need for improvement in hand-carried vacuuming apparatuses to more effectively remove dust and debris from all intended areas, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuuming apparatus that may be used to vacuum up larger quantities of dust and debris or may be used to vacuum in the most restricted areas, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuuming apparatus that may be used to vacuum up larger quantities of dust and debris yet may still be shippable and storable in a fully assembled state in a smaller package, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum that is convertible between an arrangement in which the dust-holding capacity is enlarged and an arrangement in which the vacuum's overall size is reduced, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum in which the dust-holding capacity is enlarged and the overall size is reduced by lengthening and shortening, respectfully, the dust chamber, and such is an object of the invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum in which balance and handling comfort are substantially equal in both of these arrangements, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum in which conversion between these arrangements is simple and effortless and requires no tools or exertion, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum in which conversion between these arrangements does not cause flexure of or strain on mechanical and electrical components, and such is an object of the present invention. There exists a need for such a hand-carried vacuum in which conversion between these arrangements employs the same features and user motions already employed to remove the dust chamber for emptying, and such is an object of the invention.

Further needs and objects exist which are addressed by the present invention, as may become apparent by the included disclosure of an exemplary embodiment thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary embodiment, the invention may be practiced in or by a hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of the type having a suction blower, a dust-collecting chamber, and a handle all integrated into a single primary housing, in which the dust-collecting chamber is convertible between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein during the extended position the dust-collecting chamber has more dust-holding capacity than in the retracted position and during the retracted position the primary housing is longitudinally shorter than during the extended position.

The primary housing may include a motor housing surrounding the suction blower and having a cylindrical portion, wherein the dust-collecting chamber has a cylindrical dust-collecting housing coaxially connected to the motor housing at the cylindrical portion. The dust-collecting housing may be coaxially rotatable and longitudinally translatable relative to the cylindrical portion. The dust-collecting chamber may be convertible between the extended and retracted positions through a combination of coaxial rotation and longitudinal translation of the dust-collecting housing relative to the cylindrical portion.

The suction blower may be energized though electrical wiring housed within the motor housing, and the dust-collecting chamber may be convertible between the extended and retracted positions without flexing or straining the wiring. One of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion may include a spring-biased lug and the other may include a detent and the dust-collecting chamber may be retainable in the extended and retracted positions by cooperation of the spring-biased lug and detent. A circular seal may be disposed between the dust-collecting housing and the cylindrical portion to prevent passing of air there-between in any possible position of the dust-collecting housing relative to the cylindrical portion.

The dust-collecting housing may also include an intake nozzle, which may be disposed coaxial with the cylindrical portion and distally there-from. The intake nozzle may be adapted to receive a vacuuming attachment from the group including a floor-cleaner, a brush, and a hose.

The invention may also be practiced in or by a hand-carried vacuuming apparatus having a suction blower housing with a handle, and having a dust-collecting housing connected to the suction blower housing wherein the dust-collecting housing is movable relative to the suction blower housing between an extended position and a retracted position, and wherein during the extended position the dust-collecting housing has more dust-holding capacity than in the retracted position and during the retracted position the hand-carried vacuum is shorter in its longest dimension than during the extended position.

The suction blower housing may have a cylindrical portion, and the dust-collecting housing may be cylindrical and coaxially connected to the suction blower housing around the cylindrical portion. The dust-collecting housing may be coaxially rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion and translatable relative to the cylindrical portion along the longest dimension. The dust-collecting housing may be movable between the extended and retracted positions through a combination of coaxial rotation and translation relative to the cylindrical portion along the longest dimension.

The suction blower housing may include electrical wiring there-within, and the dust-collecting housing may be movable between the extended and retracted positions without flexing or straining the wiring. One of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion may include a spring-biased lug and the other may include a detent and the dust-collecting chamber may be retainable in the extended and retracted positions by cooperation of the spring-biased lug and detent. A circular seal may be disposed between the chamber and the cylindrical portion to prevent suction of air there-between in any possible position of the chamber relative to the cylindrical portion. And the dust-collecting chamber may include a dust intake nozzle.

Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed with more specificity in the Detailed Description and Drawings of an exemplary embodiment provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary hand vacuum useful in practicing the invention in its compacted mode and equipped with a crevice nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 in its expanded mode;

FIG. 3 is a partial exploded view of the inner and outer dust canister cups of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the canister cup assembly of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 in the compacted mode;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the canister cup assembly of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 in the expanded mode;

FIGS. 6 through 9 are sequential partial cutaways views of the canister cup assembly of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 from the compacted mode to the expanded mode;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the canister cup assembly of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 in the compacted mode;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the canister cup assembly of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 in the expanded mode;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 with its canister cup assembly exploded from its motor housing.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 with its canister cup assembly exploded from its motor housing and its filter exploded from its canister cup assembly;

FIG. 14 is a rear view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 having a blower hose attached to its exhaust port;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1 equipped with a floor-cleaning attachment;

FIG. 17 is a partial view of a spring lug of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view through the spring lug of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a partial view of a C-shaped slot of the inner cup of the hand vacuum of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 20 is a partial cross sectional view through the C-shaped slot of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 16, where there is shown a hand vacuum 100 according to just one of the infinite number of possible embodiments of the present invention. The hand vacuum depicted is embodied in main housing 102 and is intended for use with numerous attachments according to the intended cleaning chore. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a crevice nozzle 200 is shown attached to the main housing's suction port 104. In FIGS. 12 and 13, the hand vacuum is shown without attachments.

The main housing includes a motor housing portion 106 which encloses a suction blower (not shown) and a dust filter 112 for preventing dust within the inhaled air from passing through the vacuum, The main housing also includes a dust holding chamber or canister 114 for collecting the dust, and a handle 116 for carrying the entire vacuum about in a single hand.

The suction blower is energizable by power obtained through power cord 118 and power switch 122 to inhale dust laden air though the crevice nozzle and suction port, into the dust holding chamber, to the filter, then to pull only the now dust-free air through the filter, pass it through the suction blower, and blow it out though the exhaust port 108, leaving the filtered-out dust within the dust holding chamber. Because such an arrangement is so well known in a myriad of useable forms in the art, and the particulars of the arrangement used to accomplish such are not by and of themselves critical to the invention, reference is made to patents such as the afore-incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,573,234, 4,633,543, and 8,069,529 for examples of the infinite number of possible such hand vacuuming system arrangements, not intending to limit the invention thereto, but only to assist in enabling that arrangement.

The motor housing 106 is made up of a blower housing portion 124 that surrounds the suction blower, the handle, the exhaust port, and a cylindrical portion 126 that forms the inner cup of the dust holding chamber, disposed at the intake end of the motor housing. The main housing 102, and the dust holding chamber as a part thereof, also include an outer cup 128, movable relative to the motor housing, and therefore movable relative to the inner cup, so that the capacity of the dust holding chamber is variable, as will be further explained.

The suction port 104 is embodied in the outer cup of the dust holding chamber, and is adapted to receive various intake attachments, such as the crevice nozzle, the floor-cleaning attachment 202 shown in FIG. 16, a suction tube, or a hose. The outer cup is preferably made of a transparent plastic such as to enable the user to see when the dust chamber is filled with dust. Deflector 132 disposed inside the outer cup adjacent the suction port causes turbulence within the dust chamber to prevent clogging of the filter and thereby maximize the dust holding capacity.

The inner cup holds the filter 112 within, and while the inner cup is a part of the motor housing, it is removable there-from for accessing, cleaning, and changing the filter as needed, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. When the assembled-together inner and outer cups are removed, the filter may be pulled out of the inner cup to expose the collected dust within the chamber, which may be shaken out there-from before the filter is cleaned and/or replaced.

Comparing FIG. 1 to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the vacuum has two modes, states, or arrangements; the compacted mode of FIG. 1 in which the outer cup is pushed in closest to the blower housing portion, and the expanded mode of FIG. 2 in which the outer cup is pulled out further away from the blower housing portion. As shown, in the compacted mode the appliance as a whole is more compact and portable, and thereby provides for easier access into tighter places for vacuuming. In the expanded mode it can be seen that the volume of the dust collecting chamber is enlarged, providing increased dust holding capacity.

FIG. 3 shows the outer cup separated from the vacuum. The outer cup is not intended for regular user removal, but is only shown removed so that one of the outer cup's spring lugs 134, one of the inner cup's C-shaped slots 136, and O-ring seals 138 of the inner cup are viewable. The outer cup has two such lugs internally diametrically opposed, and the inner cup had two such slots externally diametrically opposed. When the cylindrical shell 142 of the outer cup is properly assembled around the cylindrical inner cup as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the lugs are received within a mating one of the slots and the O-rings contact the cylindrical inner wall of the outer cup to seal the gap between the cups while allowing the indicated relative rotational and translational movement between the cups.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, one of the spring lugs 134 is shown in closer detail. There is can be seen that the spring lug includes a lug portion 144 configured to engage the mating C-shaped slot and a spring portion 146 that allows the lug to flex outwardly while also enabling that sufficient spring pressure biases the lug portion against the inner cup to stabilize the assembly of the two cups without preventing the desired relative movement between the two.

FIGS. 4 though 5 show how the outer cup 128 is moved relative to the inner cup 126 by sliding of lugs 134 within slots 136. The slots each include a longitudinal portion 148, a compacted landing, 152, and an expanded landing 154. Detents 156 are disposed between each landing portion and the longitudinal portion. FIG. 19 shows a more detailed view of the C-shaped slot 136, with FIG. 20 being a cross-section through FIG. 19 at detent 156 to show how the detent employs the flexibility of the spring portion of the spring lug to securely retain the lugs within the landing except when overcome by a sufficient intentional rotational force to cause the lug to move into the longitudinal portion 148 of the slot. This ensures that the lug is securely held in the desired one of the landings and the outer cup is securely held in the desired one of the modes except when movement there-between is desired.

As alternatives to the spring lugs, slots, and detents shown, obviously equivalent arrangements may be employed to serve obviously equivalent functions within the invention. For instance, spring-biased ball bearings could be substituted for the disclosed spring lugs. And negative detents could be disposed for use at the extended and compacted positions rather than positive detents disposed between those positions as shown. The spring lugs could be instead disposed in the cylindrical portion with the slots and detents disposed in the outer cup. Or the slot could be purely straight and longitudinal with positive detents near or negative detents at each end. Or other over-ridable retaining means may be employed, such as a spring-biased ball bearing finding depresses negative detents in the slot at the compacted and extended positions.

The series of sequential views of FIGS. 6 through 9 demonstrate the movement of the lug 144 within the C-shaped slot 136 and the relative movement between the outer cup 128 and inner cup 126. It can also be seen in these views how the O-rings 138 allow both rotational and longitudinal movement of the outer cup while maintaining a seal of the gap between the cups to prevent the undesirable inhaling of air there-through.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the dust chamber assembly removed from the vacuum, as would be done to service the filter and empty the chamber. A comparison of the compacted mode of FIG. 10 to the expanded mode of FIG. 11 shows the significant difference in the internal volume of the chamber, and thus of its dust-holding capacity, between the modes. In this view it can also be appreciated that the O-ring seals 138 together with the biased spring lugs 134 provide stability between the inner and outer cups by providing spread-apart contacts between the cups.

It should be appreciated that another advantage to the convertible arrangement of the dust holding chamber lies in its ability to be operated in the compacted position initially, thereby taking advantage of that position's superior portability, then to be expanded as the dust holding chamber becomes more filled. The conversion may even be made, both ways, while the device is in operation. And because all of the power cord, power switch, suction blower, and connecting wiring are disposed in a relatively rigid relationship within the motor housing, and only the non-energized outer cup is moved during conversion, there is not wear and tear on those electrical components by the conversion and no related safety risks that might otherwise exist there-from.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, it can be seen that the exhaust port 108 includes a covering grill 162 that may be opened to enable attachment of a blow hose 206 so that the vacuum may be used a positive pressure clean air blower, while retaining the same convertibility of the dust chamber. And FIG. 16 shows the vacuum used with a floor-cleaning attachment 202 attached at the suction port to effectively convert the hand vacuum into a stick vacuum, while retaining the same convertibility of the dust chamber.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a specific exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention should therefore only be limited according to the following claims, including all equivalent interpretation to which they are entitled. 

We claim:
 1. A hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of the type having a suction blower, a dust-collecting chamber, and a handle all integrated into a single primary housing, in which the dust-collecting chamber is convertible between an extended position and a retracted position; wherein during the extended position the dust-collecting chamber has more dust-holding capacity than in the retracted position; and during the retracted position the primary housing is longitudinally shorter than during the extended position.
 2. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 1 wherein the primary housing comprises a motor housing surrounding the suction blower and having a cylindrical portion; and wherein the dust-collecting chamber comprises a cylindrical dust-collecting housing coaxially connected to the motor housing at the cylindrical portion.
 3. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 2 wherein the dust-collecting housing is coaxially rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion.
 4. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 3 wherein the dust-collecting housing is longitudinally translatable relative to the cylindrical portion.
 5. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 4 wherein the dust-collecting chamber is convertible between the extended and retracted positions through a combination of coaxial rotation and longitudinal translation of the dust-collecting housing relative to the cylindrical portion.
 6. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 5 wherein the suction blower is energized though electrical wiring housed within the motor housing, and the dust-collecting chamber is convertible between the extended and retracted positions without flexing or straining the wiring.
 7. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 6 wherein one of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion comprises a spring-biased lug and the other of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion comprises a detent and wherein the dust-collecting chamber is retainable in the extended and retracted positions by cooperation of the spring-biased lug and detent.
 8. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a circular seal disposed between the dust-collecting housing and the cylindrical portion to prevent passing of air there-between in any possible position of the dust-collecting housing relative to the cylindrical portion.
 9. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 10 wherein the dust-collecting housing further comprises an intake nozzle.
 10. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 9 wherein the intake nozzle is coaxial with the cylindrical portion and disposed distally there-from.
 11. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 10 wherein the intake nozzle is adapted to receive a vacuuming attachment from the group including a floor-cleaner, a brush, and a hose.
 12. A hand-carried vacuuming apparatus comprising; a suction blower housing comprising a handle; and a dust-collecting housing connected to the suction blower housing; wherein the dust-collecting housing is movable relative to the suction blower housing between an extended position and a retracted position; and wherein during the extended position the dust-collecting housing has more dust-holding capacity than in the retracted position; and during the retracted position the hand-carried vacuum is shorter in its longest dimension than during the extended position.
 13. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 12 wherein the suction blower housing comprises a cylindrical portion; and wherein the dust-collecting housing is cylindrical and is coaxially connected to the suction blower housing around the cylindrical portion.
 14. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 13 wherein the dust-collecting housing is coaxially rotatable relative to the cylindrical portion.
 15. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 14 wherein the dust-collecting housing is translatable relative to the cylindrical portion along the longest dimension.
 16. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 15 wherein the dust-collecting housing is movable between the extended and retracted positions through a combination of coaxial rotation and translation relative to the cylindrical portion along the longest dimension.
 17. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 16 wherein the suction blower housing comprises electrical wiring there-within; and the dust-collecting housing is movable between the extended and retracted positions without flexing or straining the wiring.
 18. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 17 wherein one of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion comprises a spring-biased lug and the other of the dust-collecting housing and cylindrical portion comprises a detent and wherein the dust-collecting chamber is retainable in the extended and retracted positions by cooperation of the spring-biased lug and detent.
 19. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a circular seal disposed between the dust-collecting chamber and the cylindrical portion to prevent suction of air there-between in any possible position of the dust-collecting chamber relative to the cylindrical portion.
 20. The hand-carried vacuuming apparatus of claim 19 wherein the dust-collecting chamber comprises a dust intake nozzle. 